Creative dramatics workbook : a guide for the recreational leader and the educational teacher

In a world where there are rapid social and intellectual changes, there seems to be a need for greater flexibility within the educational system toward developing creative expression in each individual. Schools are making an effort to place a greater emphasis upon student participation and awareness of the environment; but, at the same time, the pressures of society seem to be stressing an increased accountability toward behavior. Creative expression and dramatics play an important role in guiding the educational system toward the development of the student capable of responding rationally in this changing world. Many educators seem to ignore the need for equilibrium between the effective and cognitive in the educational process. Several years have elapsed while some educators have said that there should be more creativity in the classroom; but, there have been few individuals that have picked up on the idea of using creative dramatics to develop the students' creative expression. Consequently, the purpose of this project is to focus on certain "steadfast" suggestions for developing a creative dramatics program within the classroom, or in the community recreational system. The paper is divided into two main sections. Part one discusses the theoretical background in the early development of children's theatre and creative dramatics; the role of creative expression in education; the use of creative dramatics towards social adjustment; the future of creative dramatics in education; and concludes with a suggested guide toward developing a creative dramatics program. Part two deals with a handbook of creative dramatics exercises to be used in administering a program.It is not the intent of this writer to give a "once and for all -- this is the way it is done" answerfor the development of a creative dramatics program, but hopefully, this project will help those individuals not familiar with informal drama and its techniques, to perhaps study and put into practice this creative art form to be used in the classroom or the community recreational organization.